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Welbeck inflicts 10th league defeat on Liverpool
Thomas Tuchel’s England squad announcement on Friday for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan has sparked debate, with one omission particularly conspicuous after Saturday’s Premier League action.
Danny Welbeck, currently the highest-scoring English player in the Premier League this season, netted a brace as Brighton triumphed over Champions League-chasing Liverpool.
At 35, Danny Welbeck is proving that age is no barrier, having now scored 12 league goals this season.
Despite the limited opportunity to impress Tuchel before the World Cup squad selection, Welbeck continues to make a compelling case at club level.
Following his man-of-the-match performance against Liverpool, any frustration at not yet securing a call-up was not apparent.
“I control what I can control,” he stated to BBC Match of the Day regarding the possibility of a call-up.
“It’s pleasing to hear my name mentioned. That’s a positive for me.
“I prefer not to focus on what’s beyond my control. I’m content, enjoying my football, and concentrating on what I can influence.”
Welbeck scores twice as Liverpool suffer 10th loss
One final experiment? Unpicking Tuchel’s latest England squad
Welbeck’s statistics this season are undeniably noteworthy.
His two goals for Brighton have elevated his league tally to 12, marking his most prolific season to date.
Notably, this is the third occasion this season that he has scored more than once in a league match, also a personal best.
A key aspect of Welbeck’s impressive scoring record is his clinical finishing. His initial six goals of the season stemmed from just seven shots on target, and against Liverpool, he converted both of his shots on target.
However, according to Seagulls manager Fabian Hurzeler, the veteran offers more than just goals.
He remarked: “Beyond scoring goals, he is in exceptional form, demonstrating strong teamwork, establishing effective connections with his team-mates, and fostering a positive atmosphere.
“He is a unifying presence, invaluable both on and off the field, and would be an asset to any team, including England.”
Former England striker Wayne Rooney lauded Welbeck’s all-around contribution, stating: “He scores goals, works tirelessly, and links up play effectively.
“He is certainly a viable option for England.”
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How Welbeck handled England squad snub
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, enjoying a remarkable season with 47 goals in all competitions for the German side, is expected to spearhead the England attack in North America.
The pertinent question is who will serve as his understudy?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was tied with Danny Welbeck as the top-scoring English player on 10 goals before Welbeck’s double, and he has earned a call-up to Tuchel’s squad.
The Leeds striker enjoyed a purple patch, scoring seven goals in six games towards the end of 2025, but entered Saturday’s match against Brentford with just one goal in his previous eight appearances.
Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke was also included in the squad, but he has only managed three Premier League goals this season and is recovering from a lengthy injury.
While both possess the attributes to deputize for Kane, they lack the current form that Welbeck is demonstrating.
“Welbeck is incredibly unlucky to miss out on a call-up,” Rooney added. “At 35, he shows no signs of declining.
“It was likely a close decision between him and [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin, so he narrowly missed out – but he is having a fantastic season.”
Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer concurred: “Considering his form and goal-scoring record, he can consider himself very unfortunate not to be in the squad.
“Solanke has three goals, while Calvert-Lewin has two in the last 12 games. I believe he is extremely unlucky not to be included in that 35-man squad.”
Despite his omission, Hurzeler is confident that Tuchel will make informed decisions when selecting his England World Cup squad.
“England has a very capable German coach who will make the right choices,” he affirmed.
He stressed the importance of assessing Welbeck’s value “off the pitch” and his contribution to “team unity,” adding: “That can be crucial at a World Cup.”
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